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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10

Study of structural design concepts for an arrow wing supersonic transport configuration, volume 1. Tasks 1 and 2

A structural design study was made, based on a 1975 level of technology, to assess the relative merits of structural concepts and materials for an advanced supersonic transport cruising at Mach 2.7. Preliminary studies were made to insure compliance of the configuration with general design criteria, to integrate the propulsion system with the airframe, to select structural concepts and materials, and to define an efficient structural arrangement. An advanced computerized structural design system was used, in conjunction with a relatively large, complex finite element model, for detailed analysis and sizing of structural members to satisfy strength and flutter criteria. A baseline aircraft design was developed for assessment of current technology and for use in future studies of aerostructural trades, and application of advanced technology. Criteria, analysis methods, and results are presented.

Source record↗

Deep Space Habitat ECLSS Design Concept

Life support is vital to human spaceflight, and most current life support systems employ single-use hardware or regenerable technologies that throw away the waste products, relying on resupply to make up the consumables lost in the process. Because the long-term goal of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is to expand human presence beyond low-earth orbit, life support systems must become self-sustaining for missions where resupply is not practical. From May through October 2011, the life support team at the Johnson Space Center was challenged to define requirements, develop a system concept, and create a preliminary life support system design for a non-planetary Deep Space Habitat that could sustain a crew of four in near earth orbit for a duration of 388 days. Some of the preferred technology choices to support this architecture were passed over because the mission definition has an unmanned portion lasting 825 days. The main portion of the architecture was derived from technologies currently integrated on the International Space Station as well as upcoming technologies with moderate Technology Readiness Levels. The final architecture concept contains only partially-closed air and water systems, as the breakeven point for some of the closure technologies was not achieved with the mission duration.

Curley, Su↗

Deep Space Habitat ECLS Design Concept

Life support is vital to human spaceflight, and most current life support systems employ single-use hardware or regenerable technologies that throw away the waste products, relying on resupply to make up the consumables lost in the process. Because the long-term goal of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is to expand human presence beyond low-earth orbit, life support systems must become self-sustaining for missions where resupply is not practical. From May through October 2011, the life support team at the Johnson Space Center was challenged to define requirements, develop a system concept, and create a preliminary life support system design for a non-planetary Deep Space Habitat that could sustain a crew of four in near earth orbit for a duration of 388 days. Some of the preferred technology choices to support this architecture were passed over as the mission definition also has an unmanned portion lasting 825 days. The main portion of the architecture was derived from technologies currently integrated on the International Space Station as well as upcoming technologies with moderate Technology Readiness Levels. The final architecture concept contains only partially-closed air and water systems, as the breakeven point for some of the closure technologies was not achieved with the mission duration.

Curley, Su↗

Evaluation of structural design concepts for an arrow-wing supersonic cruise aircraft

An analytical study was performed to determine the best structural approach for design of primary wing and fuselage structure of a Mach 2.7 arrow wing supersonic cruise aircraft. Concepts were evaluated considering near term start of design. Emphasis was placed on the complex interactions between thermal stress, static aeroelasticity, flutter, fatigue and fail safe design, static and dynamic loads, and the effects of variations in structural arrangements, concepts and materials on these interactions. Results indicate that a hybrid wing structure incorporating low profile convex beaded and honeycomb sandwich surface panels of titanium alloy 6Al-4V were the most efficient. The substructure includes titanium alloy spar caps reinforced with boron polyimide composites. The fuselage shell consists of hat stiffened skin and frame construction of titanium alloy 6Al-4V. A summary of the study effort is presented, and a discussion of the overall logic, design philosophy and interaction between the analytical methods for supersonic cruise aircraft design are included.

Sakata, I. F.↗

Operationally Efficient Propulsion System Study (OEPSS) data book. Volume 4: OEPSS design concepts

This study was initiated to identify operations problems and cost drivers for current propulsion systems and to identify technology and design approaches to increase the operational efficiency and reduce operations costs for future propulsion systems. To provide readily usable data for the Advanced Launch System (ALS) program, the results of the OEPSS study have been organized into a series of OEPSS Data Books. This volume describes three propulsion concepts that will simplify the propulsion system design and significantly reduce operational requirements. The concepts include: (1) a fully integrated, booster propulsion module concept for the ALS that avoids the complex system created by using autonomous engines with numerous artificial interfaces; (2) an LOX tank aft concept which avoids potentially dangerous geysering in long LOX propellant lines; and (3) an air augmented, rocket engine nozzle afterburning propulsion concept that will significantly reduce LOX propellant requirements, reduce vehicle size and simplify ground operations and ground support equipment and facilities.

Wong, George S.↗

A study of spacecraft technology and design concepts. Volume 2: Appendices

Electrical, mechanical, and software subsystem needs in the Post 1990 space operations environment are considered as well as the effect of radiation environment on spacecraft configuration. Criteria are given for selecting a specific design or technology concept from among the alternatives available.

Zylius, F. A.↗

Design concepts for a composite door frame system for general automotive applications

Conceptual design, manufacturing process, and costs are explored to determine the feasibility of replacing present steel parts in automotive door structures with various composite materials. The problems of conforming to present anti-intrusion specifications with advanced materials are examined and discussed. Modest weight reductions, at competitive costs, were identified for the utilization of specific composite materials in automotive door structures.

Tauber, J. A.↗

Design concepts for large reflector antenna structures

Practical approaches for establishing large, precise antenna reflectors in space are described. Reflector surfaces consisting of either solid panels or knitted mesh are considered. The approach using a deep articulated truss structure to support a mesh reflector is selected for detailed investigations. A new sequential deployment concept for the tetrahedral truss is explained. Good joint design is discussed, and examples are described both analytically and by means of demonstration models. The influence of curvature on the design and its vibration characteristics are investigated.

Hedgepeth, J. M.↗

An automated rendezvous and capture system design concept for the cargo transfer vehicle and Space Station Freedom

A rendezvous sensor system concept was developed for the cargo transfer vehicle (CTV) to autonomously rendezvous with and be captured by Space Station Freedom (SSF). The development of requirements, the design of a unique Lockheed developed sensor concept to meet these requirements, and the system design to place this sensor on the CTV and rendezvous with the SSF are described .

Fuchs, Ron↗

The Large UV/Optical/Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR): Decadal Mission Concept Design Update

In preparation for the 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey, NASA has commissioned the study of four large mission concepts, including the Large Ultraviolet / Optical / Infrared (LUVOIR) Surveyor. The LUVOIR Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT) has identified a broad range of science objectives including the direct imaging and spectral characterization of habitable exoplanets around sun-like stars, the study of galaxy formation and evolution, the epoch of reionization, star and planet formation, and the remote sensing of Solar System bodies. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is providing the design and engineering support to develop executable and feasible mission concepts that are capable of the identified science objectives. We present an update on the first of two architectures being studied: a 15-meter-diameter segmented-aperture telescope with a suite of serviceable instruments operating over a range of wavelengths between 100 nm to 2.5 microns. Four instruments are being developed for this architecture: an optical / near-infrared coronagraph capable of 10(exp -10) contrast at inner working angles as small as 2 lambda/D; the LUVOIR UV Multi-object Spectrograph (LUMOS), which will provide low- and medium-resolution UV (100 – 400 nm) multi-object imaging spectroscopy in addition to far-UV imaging; the High Definition Imager (HDI), a high-resolution wide-field-of-view NUV-Optical-IR imager; and a UV spectro-polarimeter being contributed by Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES). A fifth instrument, a multi-resolution optical-NIR spectrograph, is planned as part of a second architecture to be studied in late 2017.

Decadal Study; Astrophysics; LUVOIR↗

A study of spaceraft technology and design concepts, volume 1

Concepts for advancing the state of the art in the design of unmanned spacecraft, the requirements that gave rise to its configuration, and the programs of technology that are suggested as leading to its eventual development are examined. Particular technology issues discussed include: structures and materials; thermal control; propulsion; electrical power; communications; data management; and guidance, navigation, and control.

Zylius, F. A.↗

AXTAR: Mission Design Concept

The Advanced X-ray Timing Array (AXTAR) is a mission concept for X-ray timing of compact objects that combines very large collecting area, broadband spectral coverage, high time resolution, highly flexible scheduling, and an ability to respond promptly to time-critical targets of opportunity. It is optimized for sub-millisecond timing of bright Galactic X-ray sources in order to study phenomena at the natural time scales of neutron star surfaces and black hole event horizons, thus probing the physics of ultra-dense matter, strongly curved spacetimes, and intense magnetic fields. AXTAR s main instrument, the Large Area Timing Array (LATA) is a collimated instrument with 2 50 keV coverage and over 3 square meters effective area. The LATA is made up of an array of super-modules that house 2-mm thick silicon pixel detectors. AXTAR will provide a significant improvement in effective area (a factor of 7 at 4 keV and a factor of 36 at 30 keV) over the RXTE PCA. AXTAR will also carry a sensitive Sky Monitor (SM) that acts as a trigger for pointed observations of X-ray transients in addition to providing high duty cycle monitoring of the X-ray sky. We review the science goals and technical concept for AXTAR and present results from a preliminary mission design study

Ray, Paul S.↗

Pluto flyby mission design concepts for very small and moderate spacecraft

This paper discusses the trade-offs involved in the design of a Pluto flyby mission using a low-mass spacecraft, the objective of which is the first-ever reconnaissance of the Pluto/Charon system. The analyses include launch opportunity/trajectory identification/launch vehicle trades, flight time vs net spacecraft mass trades, and flyby targeting considerations. Two mission concepts currently under development are discussed. One concept involves an 83 kg dry spacecraft which uses a direct trajectory and a Titan IV/Centaur (with two solid rocket motor upper stages) to reach Pluto in 7 years. The other design is a 316 kg dry spacecraft which uses a 3+Delta VEJGA trajectory and a Delta II (7925) to arrive at Pluto in 13.6 years.

Weinstein, S. S.↗

A pointing system design concept for Space Station attached payloads

A study has been conducted to recommend a pointing system design and architecture that can accommodate the articulated pointing requirements levied on the Space Station Freedom Attached Payload Pointing System. A conceptual design of a control system is developed using classical rate and position control techniques. A high fidelity simulation testbed has been developed as the principal tool for the pointing performance evaluation. Techniques of model reduction are applied to reduce the model order to a manageable size for incorporation into the testbed. The disturbance rich space station environment has been modeled, and nonlinearities such as bearing friction, motor and sensor noise are also considered. Simulations were performed with representatie payloads at nominal pointing orientations. The results show that the tight instrument pointing requirements and the severe Space Station disturbance environment render a marginal performance for a conventional (direct drive and hardmount) gimbal pointing system, particularly for lightweight payloads. A gimbal system that incorporates a passive base isolator and reactionless actuation appears to provide a significant imporvement in pointing performance over the conventional pointing systems.

Wong, Edward↗

Relevant Parameter Evolution in Team X Mission Concept Designs

The Advanced Projects Design Team, also known as Team X, is a concurrent engineering team that quickly and cheaply designs space mission architectures including the flight system and subsystems, the trajectory, and ground system. Through the use of ICEMaker, an Excel spreadsheet database, the parameters from each subsystem can be shared and used among the other subsystems. This allows for entire missions to be planned with only a few short design team sessions. Based on the results, the feasibility of the mission concept can be determined. Over the Years since the team was created, the amount of information being shared among subsystems on the database has increased, however many of the parameters are now obsolete. Removal of these unused parameters Will clean UP the database and help to streamline the mission design process. By comparing parameter files from previous Team X mission studies, the parameter usage can be determined. As was initially suspected there are more unused parameters on the database than parameters that are actually used.

Huelman, Brandon N.↗

Exploratory low-speed wind-tunnel study of concepts designed to improve aircraft stability and control at high angles of attack

A wind tunnel investigation of concepts to improve the high angle-of-attack stability and control characteristics of a high performance aircraft was conducted. The effect of vertical tail geometry on stability and the effectiveness of several conventional and unusual control concepts was determined. These results were obtained over a large angle-of-attack range. Vertical tail location, cant angle and leading edge sweep could influence both longitudinal and lateral-directional stability. The control concepts tested were found to be effective and to provide control into the post stall angle-of-attack region.

Hahne, D. E.↗